Mining-machine.



N. D. LEVIN.

MINING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30,1007.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1,

N. D. LEVIN.-

MINING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30,1907.

1,127,784. Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F ,2. Z? a N. D. LEVIN.

MINING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 30,1907.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETSr-SHEET 3.

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iu'intne-iancnrnn.

Specification of Letters Patent. E atQZitbQl Feb; 8, 1915.

Application filed September 50, 1W7. Serial No. 395,081.

To all whom it may concern Be it knownifilthat f, NILs D. LEVIN, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Chiproduction of a machine of this character having improved dreams for guiding and cont olling the machine as it advances along the face of the coal.

,ltel'erring now to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is. a plan view of one form of machine embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 2'2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan View, on a reduced scale.

showing the machine in operation; Fig; 4

is aside elevation showing the vertically adjustable shoes or runners, some of the other parts being shown conventionally in outline and. with details omitted; Fig. 5 is aside elevation of the rear or right hand side of theinachine showing the relative positions of some of the detail parts more fully than they are-shown in the other figures, and illustrating the cutting apparatus inserted into the coal; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the side opposite to that in Fig. 5;, some of the parts being shown in detail.

As illustrated in the drawings. the machine is provided with a cutter chain l having a series of cutting knives 2 coming into contact with the coal as the machine is moved along This cutter chain engages a sprocket wheel 3 on the shaft 4- (see Fig. 2), and is supported and guided by a cutter bar 4 which projects from the inner end of the main frame or hodvor the machine. The'shaft is provided with a gear wheel 5 which engages a pinion 6 connected with the armature of the motor 7. Any suitable motor may be used. A shaft 8 is connected with the gear by gear 9 and pinion 10. This shaft carries an eccentric wheel 11 and drum or chain wheel 12-, and it may also be provided with a sprocket wheel 13. An eccentric strap surrounds the wheel 11, and has connected thereto a rod 1 1. This rod is connected with an arm 15 by means of a suitable elastic connection of any desired description. As herein shown a spring 16 is interposedhetiveen the arm 15 and the end of the 1'14, -said spring hearing against the end of the rod and the arm 15 so that when the rod is moved the force exerted thereby is transmitted to the arm 15 through the spring 16. Connected with the arm 15 is a pawl 17 which engages the teeth on a ratchet wheel 18 connected with a shaft 19 carrying the drum 20. Associated with the drum 20 is a flexible feeding device 21 which may he a rope, chain. or any other suitable device. This feeding device is fastened at a distant point on the front side of the machine as at 22., Fig. 3., to a jack or other suitable holding device. shaft 8 is rotated it operates the ratchet wheel 18 by means of the eccentric and associated parts, and causes the drum to be rotated so as to wind up the feeding device 21 and thus pull the machine against the coal to he acted upon by the cutting chain. When the pawl 17 ceases its pushing action on the ratchet wheel 18, and while traveliin through its return stroke the ratchet whetil and the machine stand still until the commencement of the next pushing action of the pawl, and because of this there is no necessity for positively locking the wheel.

tarding; device 23 which may he a chain or 1 rope or any other fiexihle device. lhis retarding dev ce is connected to a iixed holding When the device 23 any desired d egrce.

device on the rear side of the machine, such, for example, as the jack 2!, it extending from the winding drum to the jack, in each case on a direct line as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The feeding device 21 and the retarding are out of alinement as shown in Fig. 3 so that by proper manipulation of these devices the machine may he held in proper position as it is moved across'the face of the material to be cut. Associated with the drum 28 is some suitable controlling device, such, for example, as the brake 25. This brake is here shown as a strap brake and is controlled by the hand wheel 26 attached to therod 27. The drum 28 is not in engagement with the motor and hence it can be controlled so as to retard the unwinding of the retarding device 23 sufliciently to secure the desired result. The drum 28 is located near the rear of the machine and is on the side of the main shaft 0 posite to that where the drum 20 is locate It will further be seen that the feeding device and the retarding device are arranged to be controlled independently.

Some means is preferably provided'for disconnecting the cutter chain from the driving mechanism. As shown, for example, in. Fig. 2, there is connected with the shaft 4 a disk 29. Connected with the gear 5 is a do 30 which engages the disk 29 in any desired manner as shown, for example, in Fig. 1. When it is desired to disconnect the cutter chain from the driving mechanism it can be done by simply mo'vin the dog 30 out of engagement with the dis 29. Some means is provided for automatically disconnecting the driving mechanism from the chain when the load becomes too great. This may be done by making the dog 30 of cast iron and of suitable size in which event it will break be fore the strain becomes sufiicicnt to injure the apparatus.

Some suitable means is provided for chang ing the plane of the cut of the cutter chain. This may be done in any desired manner. As shown in Fig. t the device is mounted upon the shoes 31 which are attached to the frame of the machine by the adjusting rot s It will thus be seen that by movlng these adjusting-rods one side-of the machine may be raised or loweredso as to tilt the machine in it wiil also be seen that of these adjustable rods the Innby means chine may he tilted about the shoe change crably two shoes 3. and two rods 32, one on each side of the machine, both. iocatcd near the outer end thereof. The shoe 33 lo catcd near the middle of the machine at the inner end underneath the cutter fraiine.

It will be noted that the main upright shaft 4 is provided with a surround 5 sleeve, and that the shafts S and 1.9 are substantially parallel to the shaft 4 and are the feeding rope thedrums to. their companion ahutmcnts or the plane of the cut. There are pref--..

maintained as aforesa mounted upon supports fastened to the sleeve surrounding said shaft 4. I have indicatcd at. 39 a frame, box or housing which can be so arranged as to more or less sup-- port and inclose the motor, the shaftiug, the gearing, the rope drums and adjunct parts. It should be so constructed as to permit the feed rope and retarding ropes to pass from the drums, respectively, to their jacks, or vice versa, as shown in l igs l and 3, witlr out their being deflected from straight lines as there illustrated. If the frame or housing is more or less continuous, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, suitable rope apertures or passageways can be formed, as at 40, 41, and these can be of any shape or dimension that may he demanded.

I am aware that it has been proposed to combine with the feeding or zulvancing element (feed cable or chain) a yielding connection between the driving or power part and the winding parts (drum. sprocket wheel, or the like), and I do not broadly claim such a device.

I- do not claim the specific means shown or referredto for permitting the passage of and retarding rope from Jacks, or any specific means for connecting the, eccentric rod to the pawl arm; or any s ecificlock for the ratchet wheel or the rum of'the feeding rope, as none of these pertain to the essential features of the pres ent invention, the latter relating to the employmentof two separate sections of flexihlle tension device, one for advancing the inner end of the machine and the other haw ing an automatically acting friction control whereby it can retard the outer end. For each of the other asscmhla es of details that are conventionally indicated or described any Well known or preferred substitute can be employed.

I claim:.

1. In a mining machine, the combination of a. main frame, power driven cutting upparatus projecting from the inner end thereof, power devices for feeding the machine aiong the face of the coal, and means for retarding the outer end of the machine comprising a cable, an anchor arranged at the rear side of the machine to talce the draft of said cable, means independent of said power feeding devices for rn'iving out the cable, the iast said means being mounted on the machine and adapted to auton'ulticall.

maintain a rs stance to the lcngtlu-ninp; of the operative not of said cable, and means for varying the res :tance automatically .in av mining machine. the con'ibinai'ion of a. main frame, po er driven cutting apparatus projectii'ig from the inner end there of, a draft cahie acting on the inner end of the main frame, power actuated winding 13:)

mamas means cotiperating with said cable to feed the machine along the face of the coal, and

having the end part whichis adjacent the 'i' machine movably secured to said paying outmeans, and means for varying the rate at wh ch the retarding cable is automatically paid out.

3. A m ning machine comprising in combination a frame, cutting devices extending from the inner end of the frame, feeding devices arranged to exert a forward propelling force on the frame, and retarding means arranged to exert an opposing forceaon the machine, in a line offset from that of the forwa d force, said retarding means comprising a flex blev device. a rotatable part on the machine about which said flexible device is wound. and a braking mechanism on the mach ne for said part.

4. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame, power driven cutting apparatus projecting from the inner end of said-ma n frame, powerdevices for feeding the machine along the face of the coal, and means adanted to retard the outer part of the main frame comprising a cable, an an cbor arranged at the rear side of the machine to sustain the draft of said cable, means on the machine independent of said power feeding devices arrangedto cofiperate With the cable to automatically effect the paying out of the cable, and manual means for "EU lIIQ' the rate at which the cable is automatically paid out.

5. In a mining machine. the combination of a main frame. power driven. cutting a pa atus proiecting from the inner end of said main frame, power devices for feeding the machine a ong the face of the coal. and means adaoted to retard the outer part of the ma n frame comprising a cable. an anc o arranged at the rear side of he machine to sustain the draft of said cable. means independent of said 'oower feed ng de ices arranged in fixed relation to the machine to cotine'rate with the cable to automat callv effect the paying out of the cable. and manual means for varying the rate at which the cable is automatically paid out. 1

6. In a m ning machine. the combination of a ma n frame, the cutting apparatus extending from the inner end thereof, means for'rnoing' the frame and cutting apparatus alone the face of the coal. and means for gu d ng or al ning the machine b exe ting a retarding force on the outer part of the" frame said means comprislng a flexible member, an anchor arranged at the rear side of the machine to sustain the draft of said member, a rotary device mounted on the ma chine and engaging the said member and paying it out as the machine advances, and a friction brake device for controlling the rotation of the said rotary device.

' T In a mining machine, the combination of main frame, the cutting apparatus extending from the inner end thereof, means for moving the frame and cutting appaflexible draft device acting on the inner end of the main frame to propel the machine along the face of the coal, and means acting on the outer end of the machine for guiding the machine comprising" a cable. an anchor arranged at the rear side of the machine to sustain the. pull of the cable, a Winding reel for the cable rigidly secured thereto and 1 mounted oni'the main frame, and an adjustable brake device supported on the frame for controlling the rotatidn of said reel.

in a mining machine, the combination of the main frame, the cutt ng; anbaratus projecting from the inner end of said frame, means for moving the frame and cittin'z apparatus along; the face of the coal, a winding reel mounted on the said frame, a cable on said reel, an anchor arranger. at the ear side of the machine to sustainthe draft of said cable. and a brake device on the frame for tl e ree ad ustable at will to control the mo ment of the reel, sa d cable being arranged to exert a retard ng action on the outer part of the mach ne frame;

10. in a min ng machine. the combination of the main frame, the cutting; apparatu proicct ng from the inner end of the sid frame. the power driven Winding reel on the said frame. a propelling cable on said reel, an ancho in advance of the mach ne to smtain the draft of sa d cable, a second vi -ind. irg reel on the main frame. a cable on s'iid second reel, an anchor at the rear side of the machine to sustain the drift of the econd cable. and a brake de ice for the last. named reel adiustable at will to contcl the mo ement of said reel. the two cables hein'r' so d s'oosed that the tension of the second of the propelling cable.

' ratus along the face of the coal, and means 11. In a mining machine, the con'ibination of the main frame, the cutting apparatus Pl'OjQl from the inner end of said frame, a power drix'en \ril g reel mounted on the inn r end of o Jame, a propelling cable c; said reel. an anchor arranged in ad \anc: of In: machine to sustain the draft of said cable, a second winding reel mounted on, the outer end of tl a main franic, a cable on said second reel, an anchor arranged atthe rec r side of the machine to sustain the draft of the second cable, and a brake device for the last named reel adjustable at will to control the movement of said reel.

in a mining machine, the combination of the main frame, the cutting apparatus projecting from the inner end of said frame, means for moving the frame and cutting apparatus along the face of the coal, a Winding reel mounted on the frame, a cable mounted on said reel, an anchor arranged at the rear side of the machine to sustain the draft of said cable, a flexible brake band on the reel, and means for adjusting the tension of saic bralie band to vary the tension of said cable, said cable being i rang: d to exert .a retard lug action on the outer part of the machine frame.

13. in a mining machine, the combination of a main frame, the cutting apparatus extending from the inner end thereof, means for moving the frame and cutting apparatus along the face of the coal, and means for guiding or alining the machine comprising stationary holding means on the rear side of the machine and, interposed between said holding means and the outer part of the machine frame, flexible retarding mem her, a rotary device connected rigidly to the retarding member and paying it out as the machine advances, and a brake device for controlling the rotation of said rotary device, said rotary device and said brake device licing mounted on the frame.

ll. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame, the cutting apparatus extmuling from the inner end thereof, means for moving the frame and cutting apparatus along the face of the coal, and means for guiding and alining the machine comprising a retarding device extending approximately parallel to the face of the co1il, means for anchoring said retarding device, a rotary device mounted on the outer part of the machine frame and engaging the retarding device, and a. brake device for controlling the rotation of the said rotary device.

15. In a mining machine, the con'ibination of a main frame, the cutting apparatus on tending from the inner end thereof, means for moving the frame and cutting appara tus aloi'ig the face of the coal, and means for guiding or aliningr the machine comprising a stationary lmldcr 1d,. intcrpoecd between said holder and the frame of the machine, a cable, a Winding reel therefor, and a bra he device for controlling the roiat. n of the reel, the cable being arranged to exert a re" tarding force on the outer part oi' the ma chine frame, said reel and brain: device heing botn held in lifted relation to the machine.

.16. In a mining machine, the combination of a main frame, the cutting apparatus cxtending from the inner end th n-col, means for moving the frame and cutting apparatus along the face of the coal. and means for guiding o alining the machine com 'irising a stationary hold and, intdr iosccjl between said holdc' and the franic of the machine, cable, a winding reel thcrcfm, a bra ltl (in rice for the reel, and 17181113.; for adjusting the brake device to vary its retarding effect, the cable being arranged to exert a retard-- ing force on the outer part t the machine frame, said reel and brake (in rice being both mounted on the machine.

17. In a mining machine, the conihination of a main frame, cutting apparatus projecting from the inner end of said frame, oon'cr devices for feeding the n'iachine along the face of the coal comprising a winding are] and a cable having one end fixedrth dhc winding reel and its other end adapl cliiito be secured to a stationary holder. at rctiu'ding cable separate from the feed cable and adapted to have one end secured to a stationary holder, means on the machine arranged to coiiperate with the retarding cable to autornati any effect the paying out thereof, and manual means for varying the rate at which the cable auton'iatically i lid out, the force of the retarding cable tlt. ng upon the machine frame at a point nearer the outer end thereof than does the forward propelling force of the feed cable.

18.. In a mining machine the combination of a main frame, cutting apparatus proiwb ing from the inner end of said frame. means for feeding the machine along the face of the coal con'i'prising a winding reel and a cable having one end fixed to the reel and its other end adapted to be secured to a stationary holder, a retarding cable adapted to hare one end secured to a stationary holder, and means on the machine frame coo 'icrating with the 1-ctarclingcablc to cause a frictional resistance to the paying out-of the said cable as the machine ad vances along the face of the coal, the force of the rrtar ling cable acting upon the m "hine tram: at a, point nearer the outer cm, thcrco'l than. docs the forward propelling force oi the fold cable.

19. lo a mining machi the cmo inatiou of a main frame cutting} a ppar .trs project-- from th inner cell of said 'fl Hit, nil-Lina 1w feeding the machine along the fate of .l fill the coal comprising a winding reel and a tional resistance variable at will to the pay cable having one end fixed to the reel and its ing out of the retarding cable as the me.- other end'adapted to be secured to a st-achine advances along the face of the coal. 10

- tionary holder, :1 retarding cable adapted to NILS. DAVlD LEVIN.

have one end secured to a stationary holder, Witnesses: and means on the mach1ne frame co6perat- EDNA K. REYNOLDS, mg w1th the retardmg cable to cause a fr1c- LUCY A. FALKENBERG, 

